CASTLE DISCOVERED ON THE CLIFFS ABOVE THE SANA RIVER

Have you ever passed by Prizren on the Sana, a mysterious site of unusual beauty? As you gaze toward the canyon of the Sana River, you might wonder who, when, and why built the architectural complex on top of that hard-to-reach cliff, several hundred meters above the river.

What secrets lie behind the walls of this mysterious structure? Answers to these questions were revealed by an archaeological team from the Museum of the Republic of Srpska, led by archaeologist and museum advisor Goran Simonović. They suggest that the remains belong to a luxurious residence or a smaller castle!

While legend and local tradition speak of the city of the Black Queen, who fled before the Turkish conquerors with her horses shod in reverse and carrying immense treasures, the archaeologists believe the person who built this small castle on Prizren should be sought among the nobility who resided in the city of Ključ and governed the Banjica region, one of the parishes of the Lower Regions of medieval Bosnia. However, the questions regarding the original purpose of the complex and its builder will remain open until the excavations are completed.

WHAT HAS BEEN FOUND AT PRIZREN?

Simonović and his team resumed archaeological research in mid-October, marking the ninth season of excavations. They discovered that the walls of the smaller late medieval complex were built in a manner characteristic of that period. "The walls are made of broken and pressed stone, bound with lime mortar, stacked in uneven horizontal rows with round openings, and there are also traces of wooden scaffolding supports," Simonović explains.

In the central part of the complex, they found a structure with a hall and a cellar. "In 2013, during excavation, beautifully decorated architectural elements of this enigmatic complex sparkled from the rubble. There were pieces of window frames or door jambs made of soft sandstone, adorned with motifs of twisted plastic ribbons and engraved geometric designs. The luxurious character of some of these finds suggests that the original purpose of the complex may have been residential," adds Simonović.

Among the layers of earth that have covered the ruins for over 500 years, archaeologists discovered another layer containing significant items. These finds, including parts of late medieval weapons, pottery, animal bones, millstone fragments, glass vessels, horse gear, a flute, a fishing hook, and building locks, provided crucial insights into the mysterious past of this place.

THE FALL OF THE COMPLEX

In their research, the archaeologists concluded that the complex most likely fell in 1463, during the first fall of Bosnia to the Turks. "Shortly afterward, the complex was occupied by a military garrison that modified, partially removed, and demolished the remaining structures for communication purposes," Simonović explains. He adds that everything points to the observation post at Prizren functioning as part of a chain of fortifications and watchtowers belonging to the Jajce Banate, a strategic zone against the Ottoman Empire, formed after the Kingdom of Hungary retook parts of the former Bosnian kingdom from the Turks. The military garrison probably abandoned the site at the end of the 15th century, leaving it to the ravages of time

WERE THE ILLYRIANS HERE TOO?

While working on Prizren, archaeologists, with the help of local residents, discovered the remains of a fortified prehistoric settlement on the hilltop, a type of hillfort settlement where people discarded broken pot fragments. "The presence of these shards on the cliffs above the roaring and canyon-bound Sana River shows that people frequented this site long before the medieval builders began their work. Several fragments of prehistoric pottery were found at the beginning of the excavation, by sheer chance, on the surface of the site. Surprisingly, these humble, discarded pieces of broken vessels immediately transport us into the labyrinth of history, deep into ancient times, into the Iron Age, somewhere in the first millennium BC, when the inhabitants of a local Illyrian tribe sought refuge here during turbulent times, laying the first foundations for what would later become a town rich in history," Simonović writes.

THE FUTURE OF PRIZREN ON THE SANA

This year, the research will focus on excavating the southern section, which has been the least explored so far. Simonović notes that systematic archaeological exploration of Prizren on the Sana will provide a solid database, significantly contributing to the study of medieval heritage in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discovered artifacts could serve as the foundation for a future local museum in Mrkonjić Grad.

Following the research, a monograph on the site will be prepared, accompanied by a final exhibition. Archaeologists are confident that Prizren on the Sana has a bright future, with a reconstructed complex, museum exhibits, and attractive features that will draw visitors.

Systematic archaeological investigations of this site have been ongoing since 2011, organized by the Museum of the Republic of Srpska, with financial support from the Municipality of Mrkonjić Grad and the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska.